RECEIVE update on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project.

Activities on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project since the last update in August include work related to transferring the properties acquired for Package 1 (Salinas Station access and circulation improvements) to the City of Salinas and design coordination efforts with key stakeholders on Packages 2 (Salinas layover facility) and 3 (Gilroy track connections).

The capital cost of the Monterey County Rail Extension project, Phase 1, Salinas Kick Start project (the Salinas station and improvements in Santa Clara County), is estimated at $81 million. The Kick Start project is proceeding with secured state funding under the adopted state environmental clearance.

The Monterey County Rail Extension Project will extend passenger rail service from Santa Clara County south to Salinas. TAMC is pursuing a phased implementation of the Project. Phase 1, known as the Kick Start Project, includes Salinas train station circulation improvements, a train layover facility in Salinas, and track improvements at the Gilroy station and between Salinas and Gilroy. The Kick Start Project has wrapped up construction of Package 1, improvements at the Salinas train station. The layover facility (Package 2) and track improvements (Package 3) are now in final design.

Construction of Package 1:  Salinas Station Improvements

TAMC staff is coordinating with Caltrans and the City of Salinas on the logistics to transfer ownership of the completed project to the City, pursuant to the adopted Memorandum of Understanding. The land transfer must be approved by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to empower the City and TAMC to approve transfer agreements. The City Council approved the property transfer on August 9, followed by TAMC Board approval on August 24. The agreement is now slated for the October 12-13 CTC meeting. Staff will provide a verbal update at the Committee meeting.

Property Acquisition for Package 2: Salinas Layover Facility

On December 4, 2019, the Transportation Agency Board approved Resolutions of Necessity on portions of four parcels and one full parcel needed for the Salinas layover facility. TAMC staff continues to oversee the right-of-way special counsel from Burke, Williams, & Sorensen (formerly with Meyers Nave) to further negotiations and finalize the remaining acquisitions in Salinas, and the team of Bender Rosenthal and Nossaman for Union Pacific property access negotiations.

Final Design for Package 2 and Package 3: Gilroy Station & Track Improvements

HDR Engineering prepared the 90% plans, specifications and estimates for stakeholder review on November 8. HDR is now working on responding to comments, with the goal of preparing 100% plans by September.

The final design team held the following meetings to further the project's design:

• Amtrak - August 9
  
• Caltrain and Caltrans - August 5, 19 & 23
• Gilroy and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) - August 25

• Pacific Gas & Electric - August 16
• Salinas - August 4

Grant Application for Monterey County Rail Extension Phase 2 - Pajaro/Watsonville Multimodal Station

On July 7, 2022, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) announced the Transit & Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) awards. Unfortunately, TAMC's application for the Pajaro/Watsonville station was not successful. Staff has scheduled a debrief with CalSTA and will share any lessons learned with the Committee.